Jack Pelling and Steve Smith both got hot in the cold weather at Freehold Raceway on Thursday, as they each made multiple trips to victory lane on the 10-race card.
Pelling's patience paid off for most of his winning drives. He gave Beaver Creek Misty a perfect pocket trip in Race 1 and then popped her out in the stretch for the win for owner/trainer John Urbanski. He gave a similar winning drive to Tom Lail trainee Bad Day Black Rock in Race 3. In Race 8 he came from behind to win on Beach Fire K for trainer Aaron Lambert and the late owner/breeder Robert Key.
Smith won twice for trainer Bruce Lauer. He made a bold three-wide move with Prom King in Race 7 and powered away to victory from there. In Race 9 he guided Bruces Magic up the passing lane in the stretch to give Lauer his second win of the day. Smith completed the hat trick in Race 10 as he drove Caviar Star to a gate-to-wire win.
Smith now has 16 wins during the winter/spring meet, placing him tied for second with Dan Dube. Pelling's 13 wins are the fourth-most of any driver this season.
Lail and Lauer were two of the three trainers to register training doubles on the Thursday card. Urbanski also won two races on the day. In addition to his Race 1 win, he sent out Shesnobeachboy to a 26/- upset victory in Race 2. Luke Hanners had the winning drive.
Live racing at Freehold continues on Friday with a 10-race card starting at12:30 p.m.
(Freehold)